Biopsy collection device

ABSTRACT

A method and device for removing tissue from a patient during a biopsy procedure utilizing a biopsy collection device are provided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion configured for attachment to an endoscope and a receptacle portion configured to retain a portion of tissue removed from a target site during the biopsy procedure. The biopsy collection device further includes a passageway configured to receive a biopsy sampling device, such as a pair of forceps, passing through the endoscope to the target site.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/877,135, filed Oct. 23, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/854,537, filed Oct. 26, 2006, which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to a medical device for removal andcollection of portions of the mucuosa and/or submucosa tissue duringmedical procedures.

BACKGROUND

Diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures arecommonly used to gain access to the digestive tract for the purpose ofremoving tissue during biopsy procedures. Common endoscopy proceduresinclude incision and ablation through various known mechanisms.

Techniques for obtaining tissues during biopsy procedures and/or othermedical procedures involving tissue removal can be difficult. Forexample, regular endoscopic surveillance procedures involving multiplebiopsies are advocated to detect development of dysplasia as aprecancerous lesion. These procedures, which include endoscopic mucosalresection (EMR), involve the removal of a fragment (i.e., resection) ofthe digestive wall including the mucosal membrane. This proceduretypically removes a part or even all of the submucosa. Endoscopicmucosectomy is a curative endoscopic procedure which is intended forsessile benign tumors and intramucosal cancers. The procedure makes itpossible to determine precisely the nature of subsequent treatmentrequired.

The incision devices currently utilized in biopsy procedures often maketissue removal difficult. These problems are compounded by the thickgastrointestinal wall that the incisions are performed within.Considerable time and effort is therefore required by the physician toincise and remove the desired tissue. The inability to quickly removetissue increases patient trauma. Moreover, current incision devicescannot remove unfragmented portions of tissue. Assessment of fragmentedtissue becomes increasingly difficult during sampling as compared toassessment of unfragmented tissue. Furthermore, fragmented resection ofearly cancers may lead to a higher rate of local tumor recurrence.

Some biopsy procedures are cumbersome and time consuming due to problemsincising a tissue sample from a target site because often a separateprocedure needs to be performed to incise and collect a biopsy of thetarget site. For example, a biopsy of the target site is typicallyobtained by passing a different instrument to the target site and thencutting away and removing the tissue sample. The introduction ofseparate devices to the patient for treating the tissue increases theprocedure time and causes patient discomfort.

In view of the drawbacks of current medical devices, there is a need fora medical device that can more efficiently remove tissue and debrisduring biopsy procedures without the need of multiple exchanges ofmedical devices while significantly reducing the duration of the biopsyprocedure.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a biopsy collection device is provided that resolves orimproves upon one or more of the above-described drawbacks.

In one aspect of the present invention, a biopsy collection device isprovided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion having aproximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portionis configured for attachment to an endoscope. The biopsy collectiondevice further includes a passageway extending through the body portionwhere the passageway is configured to receive a biopsy sampling deviceextending from the endoscope and passing through the passageway to atarget site. The biopsy collection device includes a receptacle portionoperably connected to the passageway and configured to retain a sampleremoved from the target site during a biopsy procedure.

In another aspect of the present invention, a biopsy collection deviceis provided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion havinga proximal end portion, a distal end portion and a substantially hollowinterior. The proximal end portion is configured for attachment to anendoscope. The biopsy collection device further includes a receptacleportion defined in the distal end portion and configured for retaining asample. The receptacle portion includes a wall extending proximally fromthe distal end portion into the substantially hollow interior and anopening through the receptacle portion and defined by the wall. Thebiopsy collection device also includes a passageway extending betweenthe proximal end portion and the opening, wherein the passageway isconfigured for receiving a biopsy sampling device passing from theproximal end portion through the passageway to a target site to obtainthe sample.

In another aspect of the present invention, method for removing tissueduring a biopsy procedure is provided. The method includes providing abiopsy collection device having a body portion configured for attachmentto an endoscope and a receptacle portion configured to receive a portionof tissue removed from a target site. The method also includes advancingthe endoscope towards the target site of the tissue to be removed, andloading a biopsy sampling device through the endoscope, wherein thesampling device is extended past a distal end of the biopsy collectiondevice. The method further includes grasping tissue from the targetsite, retracting the biopsy sampling device into the biopsy collectiondevice; and delivering tissue to a lumen in the receptacle portion andretaining the tissue therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a biopsy collection device attached toan endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the biopsy collection device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the body portion and the receptacleportion of the biopsy collection device of FIG. 2 in a partiallyconnected configuration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the body portion and the receptacleportion of the biopsy collection device showing a unitary configuration;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the body portion of the biopsycollection device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top sectional view of the receptacle portion of the biopsycollection device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the body portion and thereceptacle portion of the biopsy collection device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the biopsy collection deviceattached to the endoscope of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the biopsy collection deviceattached to the endoscope of FIG. 1 wherein a pair of forceps isinserted within the biopsy channel of the endoscope to remove tissuefrom target site;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the endoscope of FIG.9;

FIG. 11 is partial cross-sectional view of the biopsy collection deviceof FIG. 9, wherein the pair of forceps is inserted into the passagewayof the body portion of the biopsy collection device;

FIG. 12 is partial cross-sectional view of a one-piece biopsy collectiondevice having a secondary receptacle portion, wherein the pair offorceps is inserted into the passageway of the body portion of thebiopsy collection device;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of a one-piece biopsycollection device showing the pair of forceps obtaining a biopsy sample;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a biopsy collection devicehaving a first and second receptacle portion;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view through the line B-B showing thepassageway, the first and second receptacle portions;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view through the biopsy collection deviceshowing a central passageway and first and second receptacle portions;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view through the biopsy collection deviceshowing an off-set passageway; and

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a biopsy collection deviceshowing a needle device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments are described with reference to the drawings in whichlike elements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship andfunctioning of the various elements of the embodiments are betterunderstood by the following detailed description. However, theembodiments as described below are by way of example only, and theinvention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.It should also be understood that the drawings are not to scale and incertain instances details have been omitted, which are not necessary foran understanding of the embodiments, such as conventional details offabrication and assembly.

FIGS. 2-7 illustrate an embodiment of the biopsy collection device 100prior to attachment to the endoscope 10. The biopsy collection device100 comprises a body portion 120 and a receptacle portion 130, whereinthe receptacle portion 130 is configured to receive and store tissue anddebris removed during a biopsy procedure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a biopsy collection device 100 for the removal andstorage of tissue upon performing a biopsy in accordance with thepresent invention. The biopsy collection device 100 is shown attached toa distal end 13 of an endoscope 10. The endoscope 10 may be aconventional endoscope with an operating control portion 11 and aflexible insertion tube 12. The endoscope 10 further comprises a biopsyport 18 extending through an operating biopsy channel 16 of the presentinvention. The biopsy collection device 100 is compatible for use withthe endoscope 10 during biopsy procedures, and can also be implementedin other medical procedures. For example, the biopsy collection device100 may be implemented in procedures such as endoscopy, gastroscopy,sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, esophago gastro duodenoscopy (EGD),endoscopic retrograde cholagiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic mucosalresection (EMR), and bronchoscopy.

As shown in FIG. 2, the biopsy collection device 100 may include a bodyportion 120 having a proximal end 122 and a distal end 124 and areceptacle portion 130 at the distal end 124. The device 100 furthercomprises a passageway 129 extending through the body portion 120 forreceiving medical devices when the biopsy collection device 100 iscoupled to the endoscope 10. The passageway 129 is configured to receivemedical devices that are passed through an operating biopsy channel 16in the endoscope 10 and through the body portion 120 to remove tissuefrom a target site of a patient. The passageway 129 forms a generallyhollow interior of the body portion 120. As shown in FIG. 2, thereceptacle portion 130 of the biopsy collection device 100 includes aproximal end 132 and a distal end 134, wherein the distal end 134includes a lumen 131 to receive and store tissue or debris during thebiopsy procedure. (See FIG. 13).

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 11-14, the biopsy collection device 100includes the receptacle 130 at the distal end 124 of the body portion120. The receptacle 130 includes at least one lumen 131 formed in thereceptacle 130 between a wall 123 of the body portion 120 and a wall 146of the receptacle portion 130. In some embodiments, the wall 146 isupstanding from the distal end 134 of the receptacle portion 130 anddirected toward the proximal end 132. The wall 146 may further form acircumferential opening 148 defined in the receptacle portion andoperably connected to the passageway 129. The opening 148 allows themedical device to extend to the exterior of the biopsy collection device100 to the biopsy site. The opening 148 may be centrally positionedwithin the biopsy collection device 100 as shown in FIG. 16 or off-setas shown in FIGS. 15 and 17. The opening 148 may have a reduced diameterthat permits the passage of a medical device therethrough, but inhibitspassage of the sample through the opening 148 once the sample has beencollected in the receptacle portion 130. In some embodiments, at least aportion of the wall 146 may be angled inward and away from the wall 123from the distal end 134 to the proximal end 132. The angled wall 146provides a larger lumen for ease of sample placement therein.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the wall 146 may include a flange 150extending partially over the lumen 131 to help retain the sample in thelumen 131. The flange 150 may be provided as a flexible rim extendingover the lumen 131 around the opening 148 to retain the sample in thelumen 131. The flange 150 may be flexible enough to allow the samplingdevice to deposit the sample in the lumen 131, but rigid enough so thatthe sample is retaining in the lumen 131 for the remainder of theprocedure. In some embodiments, the wall 146 may be flexible and/ortapered inward toward the opening 148 so that the forceps 44 may passthrough the opening 148 but the flexible walls 146 inhibit the passageof the samples stored in the lumens 131 out of the biopsy collectiondevice 100. As shown in FIG. 11, some embodiments may include a septum157 covering the opening 148 to inhibit the passage of the samples backout of the opening 148. The septum 157 may include a slit 158 forpassage of the medical device therethrough. The forceps 44 may also beused to compress the tissue to draw the sample into the receptacle 130through the opening 148.

The lumen 131 may be sectioned into a plurality of lumens 131 by one ormore wall partitions 152 upstanding from the distal end 134 of thereceptacle portion 130. In some embodiments, the distal end of thereceptacle portion 130 may include a viewing portion 154 that isoptically configured for providing a viewing window for an opticaldevice as shown in FIG. 15. In some embodiments, a portion of the biopsycollection device 100 is substantially transparent to facilitate viewingof the target area.

The biopsy collection device 100 may comprise a unitary structure (seeFIG. 4) or multiple components (see FIGS. 2-3) being slidably connectedor other suitable design variations and fall within the scope of theinvention.

The body portion 120 of the biopsy collection device 100 also includesan inner wall 123. The inner wall 123 may include grooves 125 locatedalong the surface of the inner wall 123. As shown in FIG. 5-7, thegrooves 125 provide an opening to receive protuberances 136 of thereceptacle portion 130 when the biopsy collection device 100 is providedin a multi-component configuration. The grooves allow the receptacleportion 130 to be attached and detached from the body portion 120 of thedevice 10 to remove tissue and debris.

In the embodiment providing multiple portions, the receptacle portion130 comprises two protuberances 136 for slidably connecting thereceptacle portion 130 to the body portion 120. The receptacle portion130 is configured to slidably move relative to the inner wall 123 of thebody portion 120 and align the protuberances 136 with the grooves 125 ofthe inner wall 129. The protuberances 136 allow the body portion 120 tobe easily inserted and removed from the passageway 129 of the bodyportion 120 by simply pushing or pulling the body portion 120 from thepassageway 129 thereby causing the protuberances 136 to disengage fromthe grooves 125. Alternatively, the receptacle portion 130 may comprisea unitary structure to receive and store tissue or debris during thebiopsy procedure (FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the tissue or debris maybe stored within the receptacle 130 until removal of the device 100 fromthe endoscope.

Referring to FIG. 6, the protuberances 136 may be oval and located alongthe surface of the receptacle portion 130. However, in an alternateembodiment, the protuberances 136 can include a variety of shapes andcan be positioned in a variety of locations suitable for securelyconnecting the receptacle portion 130 with the body portion 120 of thebiopsy collection device 100. In this embodiment, after withdrawal ofthe medical device from the passageway 129, the receptacle portion 120can be removed and the tissue or debris is retrieved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the biopsy collectiondevice 100 can also comprise one or more secondary receptacle portions138 disposed within the passageway 129 of the biopsy collection device100 (see FIG. 12). Secondary receptacles may also be formed in thedistal end 134 by dividing the receptacle portion 130 into additionalreceptacles as described above. See for example, FIGS. 14-18. As shownin FIG. 12, the secondary receptacle portion 138 provides the lumen 139to receive multiple samples of tissue or debris during the biopsyprocedure. Samples of tissue and debris may be taken from a first biopsysite and collected in the lumen 131 of the receptacle portion 130 of thebiopsy collection device 100. The secondary receptacle portion 138further allows a second sample of tissue to be collected, for example,at a second biopsy site. Additional receptacle portions 138 may also beprovided in the biopsy collection device 100 when multiple biopsysamples are to be collected from multiple biopsy sites, i.e. onereceptacle portion may be provided for each biopsy site. Similarly, thelumen 131 may be subdivided using wall partitions 152. The receptacles130, 138 and lumens 131, 139, therein may be marked to be visible to theoperator of the biopsy device to be able to distinguish the differentbiopsy sample locations. For example, a first lumen 131 may be markedwith a unique indicia that is viewable by the operator and subsequentlumens may be marked with differing unique indicia. Similarly, a firstlumen 131 may be marked with a unique indicia and the operator may placesamples in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around thereceptacle 130 so that the operator would know which sample was takenfirst, second, etc. Additionally, there is no need to repeatedlywithdraw the biopsy forceps or other medical devices during thecollection of multiple tissue or debris samples. Thus, multiple samplesfrom various target sites can be easily stored and retrieved. Aftercompletion of the biopsy procedure, the biopsy collection device 100 isdisengaged from the attached endoscope 10 and the multiple samples oftissue or debris are collected.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the biopsy collection device 100 may include atapered distal end 124 provided with an atraumatic tip which includesboth a conical taper 127 and a bevel 135 the distal end. The atraumatictip of the biopsy collection device 100 reduces the potential damage tothe patient during delivery of the device 100. As such, the bevel edgesof the biopsy collection device 100 present few, if any, sharp edges.The conical taper 127 also allows the biopsy collection device 100 to beeasily maneuvered as it is engaged and disengaged from the endoscope 10utilizing a snap-fit connection.

In an alternate embodiment, the body portion 120 can also comprise aside outlet port (not shown) located along the outer surface of thebiopsy collection device 100. The outlet port provides an exit for anymedical devices to pass through the passageway of the biopsy collectiondevice during a biopsy procedure.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the endoscope 10 andattached biopsy collection device 100. The endoscope 10 includes theoperating biopsy channel 16 which extends from the biopsy port 18 to theinsertion tube 12. The insertion tube 12 leads to the attached biopsycollection device 100. As shown in FIG. 10, the insertion tube 12includes a plurality of channels through which medical devices, such asforceps or a cutting device, may be disposed. In addition to the biopsychannel 16, the insertion tube provides a suction channel 15, anair/water channel 17 and a viewing channel 19. The present invention isnot limited to the above mentioned channels and other embodiments mayinclude varying combination of channels to accommodate other medicaldevices.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the operating control portion 11 of theendoscope 10 is in mechanical and fluid communication with the insertiontube 12. The control portion 11 is configured to control the insertiontube 12 and endoscopic parts disposed therein. As shown, the controlportion 11 includes first and second control knobs 24, 26. The controlknobs 24, 26 are configured to be in mechanical communication with theinsertion tube 12. The control knobs 24, 26 allow the physician tocontrol and guide, by known means, the insertion tube 12 through thevessels and cavities of the patient. The control portion 11 may furtherinclude a plurality of ports, such as a suction port 27, an air/waterport 28 and a camera port 29. Each of the ports of the endoscope 10 isin communication to one of the channels of the insertion tube 12. Forexample, the suction port 27, when activated, allows a vacuum from asuction source through the suction channel 15 for suctioning unwantedplaque and debris from the patient. Likewise, the air/water port 28,when activated, allows air and water through the air/water channel 17for flushing removing tissue and/or debris from the patient. Also, thecamera port 29, when activated, allows a visual image of the target sitethrough the viewing channel 19 for positioning and removing of tissueand/or debris from the patient. Additionally, the endoscope 10 includesa biopsy control knob 20 to control and guide the medical deviceinserted through the biopsy channel 16.

Referring to FIG. 9, the exemplary pair of forceps 44 is extended alongthe operating biopsy channel 16 to the target site after a portion oftissue has been incised with a cutting device (not shown). The forceps44 are inserted and extended into the biopsy channel 16 through a lumenof a catheter 48 to the target site for grasping the incised tissue anddelivering the tissue to the biopsy collection device 100 for removal.The catheter 48 is a flexible tubular member formed from any semi-rigidpolymer. For example, the catheter 48 can be formed from polyurethane,polyethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene,perfluoalkoxl, fluorinated ethylene propylene, or the like. In a typicalapplication, the catheter 48 may have a length of about 220 centimetersin order to sufficiently extend through the operating biopsy channel 16of the endoscope 10. Catheter 48 may also have an outer diameter fromabout 6 to 7 French in order to fit within the operating biopsy channel16. The catheter 48 may also have a hydrophilic coating overlying itsouter surface. The hydrophilic coating, when applied to the outersurface of the catheter 48, imparts suppleness and kink resistance tothe catheter 48. Hydrophilic coating also provides a highly lubricatedsurface to facilitate movement through the operating biopsy channel 16of the endoscope 10.

Still referring to FIG. 9, the forceps 44 can include a pair of opposedfinger rings 46 which enable a user to grasp the same and advance theforceps 44 towards the distal end 13 of the endoscope 10 to removetissue from the target site.

FIG. 11 illustrates the biopsy collection device 100 of FIG. 8, whereina medical device, such as a pair of forceps 44, is inserted through thebiopsy channel 16 of the endoscope 10. The forceps 44 are utilizedduring the biopsy procedure to remove tissue after the tissue as beencut from a target site within a body cavity. The forceps 44 can beslidably disposed through the biopsy channel 16 into the body passage129 of the biopsy collection device 100.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10-11, the forceps 44 may be incrementally movedalong the operating biopsy channel 16 to enable controlled extension ofthe forceps 44 into the passageway 129 of the biopsy collection device100 located at the distal end 13 of the endoscope 10. The forceps 44also facilitate the controlled positioning of tissue during the removalof tissue from the target site and delivery to the biopsy collectiondevice 100. Although FIG. 9 shows forceps 44 as the apparatus forremoving tissue from the target site, other devices will become apparentto one of ordinary skill in the art and are intended to be within thescope of the embodiment.

In an alternate embodiment, a hypodermic needle can also be movablydisposed within a channel of the endoscope 10 to assist in the removalof the tissue at the target site. For example, referring to FIG. 18, aneedle 152 may be inserted into a port of the endoscope 10 and deliveredto the tissue, for example through the catheter 48. The needle 152 maybe used to inject any type of physiological saline solution that isknown in the art into tissue. This causes the tissue at the target siteto elevate from the underlying normal tissue. Elevation of the tissue atthe target site facilitates removal of the cancerous tissue or othertypes of abnormal tissue during a biopsy procedure. The ability toremove the abnormal tissue without cutting into it enables a moreaccurate assessment of the tissue than would otherwise be possible ifsampling a fragmented tissue sample. Furthermore, fragmented resectionof early cancers may lead to a higher rate of local tumor recurrence.The needle 152 may also be used for obtaining tissue sample directly.Although FIG. 9 illustrates forceps 44 and catheter 48 disposed withinthe biopsy channel 16 of the endoscope 10, the endoscope 10 may containmultiple ports and/or channels adapted for separately receiving otherdevices, such as needles or other suitable devices, utilized during thebiopsy procedure. The multiple channels can be used in connection withthe secondary receptacle portion 136 to secure multiple samples oftissue or debris within the biopsy collection device 100 (see FIG. 12)during the biopsy procedure.

A method of using the biopsy collection device 100 will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 8-13. In particular, and by way of example,FIGS. 8-13 illustrate a method for performing a biopsy procedureutilizing the biopsy collection device 100 to remove tissue from thetarget site. The method includes the step of attaching the biopsycollection device 100 to the endoscope 10 and delivering the device 100to the target site of the patient.

The method also includes a cutting device (not shown) inserted throughthe operating biopsy channel 16 of the endoscope 10 to incise tissuefrom the target site prior to removal. For example, a typical needleknife or other suitable device may be loaded into an accessory channelof the endoscope 10 to facilitate the cutting of the tissue from thetarget site. Such methods for incising tissue at the target site arewell known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, inother embodiments a cutting device may be omitted from the method astissue from the target site may not be intended to be cut, as is thecase of removing debris or other material from the target site.

Referring to FIG. 9, the method also includes the step of advancingforceps 44 through the operating biopsy channel 16 of the endoscope 10.The forceps 44 are maneuvered through the channel 16 into a patient downthrough the esophagus and duodenum, towards the target site within thegastrointestinal lumen. During advancement of the forceps 44 to thetarget site, the distal end of the forceps 44 is extended within thelumen of the catheter 48 to grasp the incised tissue for delivery to thebiopsy collection device 100, as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the biopsy collectiondevice 100 in close proximity to the tissue at the target site to beremoved from the target site. After selectively positioning the biopsycollection device 100 in proximity to the target site, the method canfurther include the step of removing tissue or debris from the targetsite as shown in FIG. 13 using the medical device to retain the tissuesample. The medical device is retracted into the biopsy collectiondevice 100 and the tissue or debris may be placed into the receptacleportion 130 of the biopsy collection device 100. Upon removal of thedevice 100 from the attached endoscope 10, the tissue or debris iscompletely removed from the device. Alternatively, a flushing liquid,such as a saline solution, can be introduced to flush and remove thetissue or debris from the from the biopsy collection device 100.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the method of removingtissue with the biopsy collection device 100 may also include the stepof formatting a protrusion of the target site, after selectivelypositioning the biopsy collection device 100 in close proximity to thetarget site. The protrusion is created by injecting physiological salinesolution through a needle 152, which may be disposed within the lumen ofthe catheter 48 as shown in FIG. 18. The needle 152 may be insertedthrough the port 18, shown in FIG. 9. The needle 152 may be disposed inthe same lumen as the forceps 44 and extended beyond the distal end ofthe catheter 48 until it contacts target site. The physiological salinesolution lifts the target site from the surrounding submucosa tissue,thus enabling subsequent incision of the elevated target site withoutinadvertently injuring the surrounding submucosa tissue. A sufficientamount of saline solution, as is known in the art, is injected toelevate the target site and separate it from the underlying submucosatissue. After injection of the physiological saline is completed, theneedle 152 is retracted within the lumen. The needle may also be usedfor obtaining a biopsy and is not limited to a particular channel andmay be inserted through other channels of the endoscope 10.

After the tissue at the target site has been sufficiently elevated, theprocess of creating the incision allows the tissue to be cut andremoved. In particular, the distal end of the catheter 48 is advancedinto the target site with the forceps 44 remaining retracted within thelumen of the catheter 48 until delivery to the target site to remove theincised tissue and insert the tissue into the biopsy collection device100.

After the distal end of the catheter 48 is contained within the targetsite, the forceps 44 may be advanced distally past the distal end of thecatheter 48 and into the tissue of target site. As the forceps 44 extenddistally and into the target site, the tissue is grasped and removedfrom the biopsy site. The forceps 44 are retracted into the biopsycollection device 100 and the tissue sample is securely delivered to thelumen 131 of the receptacle 130 of the biopsy collection device 100. Asdescribed above, multiple tissue samples may be biopsied and stored inthe receptacles 130, 138 of the biopsy collection device 100 byrepeating the sampling method and delivering the sample to theappropriate receptacle.

After the tissue from the target site has been delivered to the biopsycollection device 100, the handle assembly 46 may be pulled to withdrawthe forceps 44 through the endoscope 10. Subsequently, the endoscope 10and attached biopsy collection device 100 can be removed and the tissuecan be retrieved from the biopsy collection device 100.

The above figures and disclosure are intended to be illustrative and notexhaustive. This description will suggest many variations andalternatives to one of ordinary skill in the art. All such variationsand alternatives are intended to be encompassed within the scope of theattached claims. Those familiar with the art may recognize otherequivalents to the specific embodiments described herein whichequivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the attached claims.

1. A biopsy collection device comprising: a body portion having aproximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portionconfigured for attachment to an endoscope; a passageway extendingthrough the body portion, the passageway configured to receive a biopsysampling device extending from the endoscope and passing through thepassageway to a target site; and a receptacle portion at the distal endportion, the receptacle portion including a wall extending proximallyfrom the distal end portion into an interior of the body portion, thewall at least partially defining an opening to the receptacle portion;the receptacle portion operably connected to the passageway andconfigured to retain a sample removed from the target site during abiopsy procedure.
 2. The biopsy collection device of claim 1, whereinthe opening is configured to inhibit the passage of the sample out ofthe receptacle portion and configured to allow passage of the biopsysampling device therethrough.
 3. The biopsy collection device of claim1, wherein the wall is tapered to form a portion of the receptacleportion.
 4. The biopsy collection device of claim 1, further comprisingan endoscope wherein the proximal end portion is attached to theendoscope.
 5. The biopsy collection device of claim 1, wherein at leasta portion of the biopsy collection device is constructed to permitviewing therethrough of the target site.
 6. The biopsy collection deviceof claim 1, wherein the body portion and the receptacle portion areformed by unitary construction.
 7. The biopsy collection device of claim1, wherein the receptacle portion is releasably connected to the bodyportion.
 8. The biopsy collection device of claim 7, wherein one of thereceptacle portion and the body portion comprises a protuberance and theother of the receptacle and the body portion comprises a groove sizedand shaped to receive the protuberance and connect the receptacle to thebody portion.
 9. The biopsy collection device of claim 1, wherein thedistal end portion of the body comprises an atraumatic tip.
 10. Thebiopsy collection device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises aconical taper so that a distal end portion diameter is smaller than aproximal end portion diameter.
 11. The biopsy collection device of claim1, wherein the receptacle portion includes a plurality of wallsextending proximally from the distal end portion into an interior of thebody portion, one of the plurality of walls at least partially definingan opening to the receptacle portion.
 12. A biopsy collection devicecomprising: a body portion having a proximal end portion and a distalend portion and a body wall extending between the proximal end portionand the distal end portion, the proximal end portion configured forattachment to an endoscope, the distal end portion having an openingdefined therethrough; and a receptacle portion at the distal endportion, the receptacle portion including a receptacle wall extendingproximally from the distal end portion into an interior of the bodyportion, the receptacle wall and the body wall at least partiallydefining a lumen configured to retain a sample removed from a targetsite during a biopsy procedure, the receptacle wall at least partiallydefining the opening through the distal end portion, the openingconfigured to receive a biopsy sampling device extending from theendoscope to the target site.
 13. The biopsy collection device of claim12, wherein the biopsy collection device comprises a viewing portion.14. The biopsy collection device of claim 12, wherein the receptacleportion comprises a plurality of lumens for retaining samples therein.15. The biopsy collection device of claim 14, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of lumens includes a unique indicia for allowingidentification of the sample retained therein.
 16. The biopsy collectiondevice of claim 12, wherein the lumen is sized and shaped to inhibit thepassage of the sample out of the receptacle portion.
 17. A biopsycollection system comprising: a biopsy collection device comprising: abody portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion anda body wall extending between the proximal end portion and the distalend portion, the proximal end portion configured for attachment to anendoscope, the distal end portion having an opening definedtherethrough; and a receptacle portion at the distal end portion, thereceptacle portion including a receptacle wall extending proximally fromthe distal end portion into an interior of the body portion, thereceptacle wall and the body wall at least partially defining a lumenconfigured to retain a sample removed from a target site during a biopsyprocedure, the receptacle wall at least partially defining the openingthrough the distal end portion; and a biopsy sampling device, the biopsysampling device sized and shaped so that a distal end of the samplingdevice is extendable through the opening defined in the distal endportion of the body and the biopsy sampling device is configured toremove and release the sample in the receptacle portion.
 18. The biopsycollection system of claim 17, wherein the biopsy sampling device is apair of forceps.
 19. The biopsy collection system of claim 17, whereinthe biopsy sampling device is a needle.
 20. The biopsy collection systemof claim 17, wherein the opening is centrally positioned.